Delaware State University has added the following new undergraduate degree program and two new master’s degree programs:
Bachelor of Science in Forensic Chemistry – This undergraduate degree program, which applies chemistry in the development of evidence in legal matters, will provide students with the theoretical background and laboratory skills in Forensic Chemistry to pursue jobs in government agencies, forensic and toxicology labs, medical examiners officers, hospitals, police department and others. The program will provide students a focus on cutting edge forensic analytical technique used in both the field and the lab. It is the second forensic degree program launched by DSU’s College of Mathematics, Natural Science and Technology; the Forensic Biology Degree Program was launched last year.
Master of Science in Family & Consumer Science Education – Designed for individuals who possess a bachelor’s degree in Family & Consumer Sciences and are seeking an advance degree and teaching certification in that same discipline. This degree helps to address a nationwide shortage of family and consumer sciences teachers. Graduates of this MS program will be able to teach in middle and high schools, as well as work in cooperative extensions, food service management, human resources, among others.
Master of Food Science – Formerly a concentration under the Master of Science in Agriculture, DSU has developed this discipline into a full Master of Science degree program under the Department of Human Ecology. This new graduate program prepares graduates with an undergraduate degree in agriculture, biology, chemistry or food and nutritional science for an excellent career in the high-tech food industry. The Master’s Program in Food Science is a multidisciplinary program that integrates knowledge in biology, chemistry, microbiology, nutrition and engineering to the study and production of nutritious and safe foods. Among the career opportunities that can result are food chemistry, food microbiology, food safety and quality assurance, biotechnology and pharmaceutics, nutrition labeling and packaging, food analysis/control, sensory evaluation, food processing and engineering, food marketing, as well as sales and distribution.

Delaware State University’s Student Government Association has taken on the challenge of financial support for students by establishing a $10,000 endowed scholarship.
According to Kathleen Charlot, SGA president, the new SGA Scholarship Fund will be specifically for returning students and will be merit-based, requiring that the eligible students have at least a 3.0 grade-point-average.
Ms. Charlot, who presented a $10,000 check to DSU President Harry L. Williams just prior to the Oct. 16 DSU Homecoming Game between North Carolina A&T and Del State, said financial struggles are a constant concern that they hear especially from returning students.
“Instead of complaining about the University not having enough scholarship money, we decided to take matters into our own hands,” Ms. Charlot said.
The SGA president said that the new endowment fund was generated from its budget, taking from revenues that have earned from different events. Ms. Charlot said the SGA has also made a provision for the money to continue to go into the fund.
“We put it in our constitution and by-laws that the SGA has to put 10% of its revenue into the endowment,” she said.

Gov. Jack Markell has signed legislation that will establish the Inspire Scholarship Program benefiting students from the First State who enroll at Delaware State University.
With DSU President Harry L. Williams, DSU Board of Trustees Chair Claibourne Smith and a group of legislative sponsors standing behind him, Gov. Markell signed House Bill 399 that could provide Delaware students who qualify tuition assistance to attend DSU. The signing took place on Oct. 4 in the University's Martin Luther King Student Center.
The DSU Inspire Scholarship Program is modeled after the Student Excellence Equals Degree (SEED) program, which provides tuition scholarships for students to attend Delaware Technical & Community College or University of Delaware to obtain an associate’s degree. DSU was excluded from the original program because it does not offer an associate’s degree. The new DSU program would provide tuition assistance to approximately 140 students in the same amount that SEED scholars receive.
Gov. Jack Markell shakes DSU President Harry L. Williams's hand prior to signing the Inspire Scholarship Bill.
“This effort can make more widely available the exceptional opportunities Delaware State University has to offer,” Gov. Markell said. “DSU can be an important engine for job growth in the area and has earned a growing reputation for its research on campus and economic opportunity for students.”
Under the program, DSU Inspire scholarship recipients would receive the same amount of funding as SEED recipients for six semesters – the same length as the SEED scholarship. Eligible students must have and maintain a 2.75 GPA and perform 10 hours of community service per semester. SEED students must maintain a 2.5 GPA and do not have a community service requirement.
DSU President Harry L. Williams said that HB 399’s enactment into law represents a great day for the University.
“The improvement of retention and graduation rates is a top priority of Delaware State University. The Inspire Scholarship Program will help achieve that goal by providing more financial support to students from Delaware,” Dr. Williams said. “As an institution of higher education created and supported by the First State, this legislation helps DSU fulfill its role as an outstanding educational asset in Delaware that can make the dreams and aspirations of its young people becomes a reality.”
Dr. Williams added that the legislative action by Gov. Markell and the General Assembly confirms the state’s strong support for all of its state-assisted colleges and universities.
House Bill 399 unanimously passed the state House of Representatives on June 30 – the last day of the General Assembly. However, a procedural issue prevented it from voted on later that evening by the state Senate.
Senate President Pro Tem Anthony, who raised the procedure issues, called for a special Senate Education Committee hearing on Aug. 11 to consider the bill. At the end of that hearing, the committee unanimously voted to move the bill on for Senate consideration.
The state Senate subsequently unanimously passed the bill during a Sept. 21 special session.
Dr. Williams thanked the bill’s primary sponsors—Rep. Scott, Sen. Bushweller, Rep. Carson, Rep. Bennett and Sen. Ennis-- along with the bill’s 21 other sponsors for renewing pride in Delaware State University.
“We know the state has not turned its back on this great University,” said Dr. Claibourne Smith, Board of Trustee chair and former DSU interim president. “It is committed, like we are, to our public mission—educating the young people of Delaware so they may have the best chance possible to prosper in whatever pathway they choose.”
With Gov. Markell’s signature enacting the legislation, University officials will now review individual financial packages of the incoming Delaware freshmen enrolled at DSU who could be eligible. They will also communicate with eligible DSU students and high school seniors to encourage them to apply for the Inspire Scholarship for fall 2011.

Dr. Curtis Everett Powell was recently the recipient of a Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Medallion for serving as a National Conductor for the 105 Voices of History National Concert Choir.
The Sept. 19 concert in the nation’s capital featured 105 vocal representatives of the 105 Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the country. Dr. Powell was one of four conductors that led the impressive mass HBCU choir.
Dr. Curtis Everett Powell, director of DSU Choral Activities, received a Kennedy Medallion for his service as a National Conductor at a recent concert in Washington, D.C.
Before an audience of nearly 2,500 at the Kennedy Center, Dr. Powell was presented the prestigious medal that is usually presented by the President to individuals whose talents and achievements have influenced this country’s arts, entertainment, and culture in a profound way. With special clearance from the Kennedy Center personnel, this was the first time in which the medallion was presented in this fashion.
Dr. Powell, along with the other HBCU conductors – Dr. Wayne Barr of Tuskegee University, Jeremy Winston of Wilberforce University, and D’Walla Simmons Burke of Winston-Salem State University – were the first recipients to receive this specially-designed ribbon and medallion award during a 105 Voices of History Kennedy Center performance. The Sept. 19 concert was the third annual 105 Voices performance.

Carolyn Curry, DSU vice president of Institutional Advancement, has been honored with a 2010 American Council on Education (ACE) Leadership Award.
Nauleen Perry (l), Dr. Wilma Mishoe (r), Delaware Tech administrators, with DSU's Phyllis Collins, Academic Enrichment executive director, share a moment at the ACE Fall Dinner.
The honor was presented to Ms. Curry during the annual Fall Dinner and Awards Ceremony of the ACE Delaware Network of the Office of Women in Higher Education, held Oct. 6 in the Martin Luther King Student Center on the DSU campus. The Delaware Network is comprised by women administrators and instructors from all of the higher education institutions in the First State.
In presenting the award, Deborah M. McCreery of Widener University School of Law noted that Ms. Curry is a model of leadership for her staff. “She is an advocate for the development and training of up-and-coming leaders within the University, making sure they have opportunities to learn, grow and succeed,” said Ms. McCreery, a past president of the Delaware Network ACE-OWHE.
The organization cited the impact that Ms. Curry -- who has been at DSU since 2004 -- has had at DSU, such as the instrumental role she has played in establishing an enrollment management infrastructure that has resulted in a student population increase from 3,000 to 3,700. Under her leadership, the University Foundation, Inc. has been established, and integrated marketing structure has greatly enhanced the University’s image and brand; and created a community affairs unit.
The keynote speaker was Carla Markell, the wife of Delaware Gov. Jack Markell. Also honored with a Leadership Award was Dr. Kimberly Joyce, assistant vice president for Educational Support in the Office of the President at Delaware Technical & Community College. The organization awarded its Rising Star Award to Erin Zoranski, a full-time language instructor (Spanish as well as English as a second language) at Delaware Technical & Community College.
DSU Office of Assessment's Bina Daniels, DSU First Lady Dr. Robin Williams and Amystique Harris-Church of the DSU Office of Testing attended the dinner.
Last year the organization awarded its 2009 Rising Star Award to DSU’s Lisa Dunning, director of the College of Business Advisement Center.
It has been an award-winning fall season for Ms. Curry and her husband Dr. Daniel Curry, superintendent of the Lake Forest School District (in Central Delaware), who was also in attendance at the ACE dinner in support of his wife. The Delaware Chief State School Officers recently honored Dr. Curry as the 2010 Delaware Superintendent of the Year.

Delaware State University will christen its 2010-2011 Mr. and Miss DSU Richie Rohan Cyrus and Tiffany Laibhen during its annual Coronation Ceremony at 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 10 in the Education & Humanities Theatre.
The 2010-2011 Mr. and Miss DSU, (l-r) Richie Rohan Cyrus and Tiffany N. Laibhen.
The Coronation will be presented under the theme “A Whole New World” and will include music and dance performances by the entire Royal Court as well as the University’s organizational kings and queens. The event is free and open to the public.
The 2010-2011 Miss DSU is Tiffany N. Laibhen, a senior textile and apparel studies major from Philadelphia who maintains a 3.5 GPA. She is the oldest daughter of Robin and Lee Laibhen of Philadelphia, Pa.
Ms. Laibhen has been a Hornet Ambassador and has been a member of the DSU Chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America, Circle K International, Republic of Fashion, Limitless Fashion Club, National Honor Society and Campus Activity Board.
Her career aspirations are to be a fashion designer for non-traditional markets such as the physically challenged and military.
During her reign as Miss DSU, Ms. Laibhen plans to promote the ways in which students should carry themselves academically and socially. “That means being a person that uplifts themselves as well as others around them and their University,” she said.
The 2010-2011 Mr. DSU is Richie Rohan Cyrus, a senior information technology major from Brooklyn, N.Y. who maintains a 3.6 GPA. He is the oldest son of Juden and Cheston Cyrus.
Mr. Cyrus has been a vice president for the DSU Chapter of Big Brother, Little Brother. He also has been a tutor for the Department of Computer and Information Sciences, a mentor for the DSU HBCU-UP Program, as well as a residential assistant in Warren-Franklin Residence Hall.
His career aspirations include working for the government in the area of network security “hopefully with the FBI or CIA.”
During his reign as Mr. DSU, Mr. Cyrus said he would like to make students more comfortable in approaching the Student Government Association. “I would also like to put in more mentoring programs on campus, and especially reach out to freshmen males,” he said. “I want to help bridge the gap between students and administration.”

A splash from the past happened at DSU during Homecoming Week.
Quite literally.
Three members of the 1975 DSC Swim Team – Kenneth Erving, Robert C. Johnson and John Whye – reunited for a Oct. 11 tribute event in the DSU Wellness and Recreation Center.
The three alumni were members of the institution’s short-lived intercollegiate swim team (1972-1975) that competed against other swim teams in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference such as Howard, Hampton, North Carolina A&T, South Carolina State, as well as non-conference teams such as Bowie State, North Carolina Central and York College.
DSU President Harry L. Williams talks with former Hornet swimmer Robert C. Johnson during the Oct. 11 tribute reception.
Robert C. Johnson, a 1975 accounting and business administration graduate, said Delaware State College embraced the swim team.
“Every swim meet we had, it was packed,” said Mr. Johnson, who competed in the 200 (-yard) butterfly and the 200 individual medley as well as on the relay teams. “There was always a lot of energy in those swim meets.”
Kenneth Erving, who competed for Del State in the 200 back stroke and the 1,000 freestyle, DSC’s scheduling of multiple sports events in Memorial Hall help generate the students’ support for the swim team.
“Wrestling and swimming meets always often took place at the same time in Memorial Hall, so the crowd when back and forth to both sporting events,” Mr. Erving said, who graduated in 1975 with a degree in recreation.
John Whye, who earned a degree in health and physical education in 1976, says he has warm memories of Pop Watson, a physical education instruction during the 1970s who was in charge of the pool that was in the former Memorial Hall section that has since been demolished. “He gave me a job as a lifeguard,” he said.
Mr. Johnson recalls that while DSC did not win any championships from their water sport efforts, the Hornet swimmers were always competitive. "We did okay, but the other schools had more established teams, he said.

Two McNair Scholars represented DSU well at the recent 2010 SACNAS National Research Conference in Anaheim, Ca. with each bring back awards.
During the Sept. 30-Oct. 3 SACNAS conference – entitled “Science, Technology & Diversity for a Sustainable Future” and attended by more than 3,000 students from across the nation – the following DSU students were among the 72 who received awards for their research activities.
Jennifer Gray, senior biological sciences major from Orange, N.J. – “The Effects of Neurotransmitters in regulating Osteocyte Activity: Is There a Bone cell- Neuronal-Network?”
Johnny Taylor, senior biology major from Middletown, Del. – “YA-1 and its Affect on East African Cassava Mosaic Virus.”
Mr. Taylor's mentor was Dr. Vincent Fondong, DSU associate professor of biology; and Ms. Gray's mentor, Dr. Cynthia Van Golen, assistant professor.
SACNAS is the Society Advancing Hispanics and Chicanos and Native Americans in Science. The conference – which was attended by 17 DSU McNair students – was open to all minorities.

With its fall 2010 enrollment, Delaware State University has once again broken its record for the number of students attending the institution.
DSU’s fall 2010 total enrollment has been officially tabulated to be a record 3,819 – the first time the institution’s enrollment has exceed 3,800. This year’s enrollment surpasses the previous fall 2007 DSU record of 3,756.
The record enrollment was in part due to the record number of students enrolled in graduate and doctoral studies (447) and the second highest new freshmen class (906). The previous record for advanced studies enrollment was 387 in both 2006 and 2009 and the record enrollment for new freshmen is 940 in 2005.
“This year’s record enrollment is a tribute to the hard work over the last few year of our Enrollment Management team,” said DSU President Harry L. Williams. “DSU’s admissions counselor, recruiters and their executive leaders have earnestly employed the best practices known in enrollment management, and it has resulted in more students then ever before that DSU can help in attaining their aspirations and dreams.”

Seven new members were inducted into the DSU Alumni Association Hall of Fame as part of the 2010 Homecoming activities on campus.
The inductions were held on Oct. 15 in the Martin Luther King Student Center. The newly inducted DSUAA Hall of Fame members are:
Rev. Dr. William Granville, education – 30-year executive with Mobil and founder of the Granville Academy.
John Ridgeway, business – corporate manager for Toyota Financial Services.
William Ambrose Ross, community service –former president of the Columbia Interfaith Housing Corporation and former president of the League for Human Rights in Baltimore, in which he was involved in writing the first public accommodations stature for that city’s local government.
Dr. Tom Butler, honorary alumnus – 22½-year DSU professor of social work
Dr. Yvonne Johnson, honorary alumna – DSU 39-year associate professor of music
Dr. John Martin, Sr., honorary alumnus – DSU athletics director 1986-1995.
Philip G. Sadler, Jr., Rebecca Brockington Lifetime Achievement Award – 30-year accountant, auditor and financial manager for a number of government and private entities. He is also a life member of the DSUAA and has served as its national president, and vice president.
In addition, special Dedicated Service Awards were presented to Minnie Hill, Jean Allen Wilson and Ernest Talbert (posthumous).